21 Questions: Photographer Collin Levin + Complimentary Colors

Collin Levin is a photographer all about substance, a word typed out twelve times in front of his website link on his Instagram bio. With a full on editorial roster of gorgeous ladies as his subjects for multiple brands and magazines—think Oyster, Cake, Re/Done—it’s safe to say his eye in fact does host that substantial quality and packaged nicely behind his lens.

In our attempt to get to know his everyday ticks and tricks, we rolled out our 21 questions, and in return, we not only found them to be next-level quirky, but also received an aesthetically pleasing capture: Lauryn, with a vintage Mercedes, in complimentary colors. We asked him how the shoot formulated and found out about a chance encounter that led to a flourishing friendship.

“Lauryn is a good friend of mine who I met while taking a free diving class about a year ago. True story, she actually saved me from drowning. I dove a little too deep too fast one time, and couldn’t hold my breath long enough while coming up to the surface and passed out. She pulled me up and gave me mouth to mouth and helped resuscitate me. It was quite scary, but we’ve been good friends since then and been working on stuff together. A few months back, she told me she was moving to NY. I told her we had to do one more shoot before she left! I then approached stylist Mary Ford, who had this really cool idea for a shoot all about complimentary colors—so we collaborated and I decided it would be perfect for my last shoot in LA with Lauryn. We got this really cool location and rad vintage Mercedes and took some photos.” – Collin Levin.

Both stories seem to add up.

1. So, what’s up?
A preposition.

2. Favorite artist / photographer right now?
Henri-Georges Clouzot.

3. Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
Sinatra, Romy Schneider, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Alain Delon, Lee Hazelwood.

4. Rock, paper, or scissors?
Dynamite.

5. If we gave you $50, what would you buy?
Film.

6. Blue or black ink?
Black.

7. Meals or snacks?
Meals.

8. What was the first thing you said aloud this morning?
“Urgakahggjk.”

9. Where do you hang out in LA?
Sunland.

10. Who would you commission to create your portrait?
William Eggleston.

11. Do anything last night?
Cuddled with my flatmates.

12. How late did you stay up?
1?

13. Are you listening to music right now?
“I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly.

14. Any Tattoos?
Not yet.

15. Your dream collaboration/exhibition?
Anything with Mark Mothersbaugh.

16. Last 3 google searches?
-What are some clever responses for what’s up?
-My autumns done come” – Lee Hazelwood
-How to say “Hello, how are you?” in Spanish

17. If life could resemble any photograph…
Any photo from the book “The Players” by Mark Steinmetz.

18. If life could resemble any song…
“Rappers delight” by The Sugarhill Gang.

19. Horoscopes. Yay or Nay?
Naaaayyy.

20. What are you doing later?
On a plane right now to NY then driving to Connecticut.

21. Can we come?
You bet.